Stripping Russia of World Cup 2018? Germany makes the argument

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With unrest in the Ukraine magnifying this week after the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH 17, the Guardian is reporting that German politicians have raised the possibility of stripping Russia of the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

The shouts come from several members in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservative party after Western countries blamed pro-Russian separatists for shooting down the aircraft and killing 298 people.

With the European Union contemplating harsh economic sanctions on Russia it is now Germany’s belief that removing Russia’s right to hold the soccer tournament could be an even more impactful move.

Michael Fuchs, deputy head of the conservative bloc in the German parliament, told Handelsblatt Online that “Fifa should think about whether Moscow is an appropriate host if it can’t even guarantee safe airways.”

Removing the tournament from Russia is also a move Germany favors because they argue that economic sanctions on Russia could be difficult to implement due to Russia’s long borders while German trade associations fear such sanctions could hurt business between Russia and Germany.

Peter Beuth,the interior minister of the state of Hesse, told German newspaper Bild: “If [Russian President Vladimir] Putin doesn’t actively cooperate on clearing up the plane crash, the soccer World Cup in Russia in 2018 is unimaginable.”

But for the Netherlands, where the majority of the MH 17 victims came from, stripping Russia of the World Cup is a measure that needs investigating:

“The Dutch football association is aware that a future World Cup in Russia stirs great emotion among all football fans and relatives in the Netherlands,” the Dutch football association said in a statement. “The association believes it is more appropriate to conduct a discussion over a future World Cup in Russia at a later moment, once the investigation into the disaster has been completed.”

So, if Russia is to be denied the right to host World Cup 2018 where would the tournament be held?

Cecilio Dominguez and Mateus Uribe each bagged a brace, and Renato Ibarra also scored as the tournament’s top team sauntered into and out of Costa Rica on Wednesday. Club America has been to seven CCL finals, and one every single one.

West Ham United will pay a visit to Dag & Red as part of the latter’s #SaveTheDaggers campaign, and the March 21 date will cost fans between $7 and $21 to see a top flight side at 6,000-seat Victoria Road.

“So please come on down to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for an additional night of football. Bring a friend, or two, or more and we can use the gate takings to help get us back on track,” reads a press release.

Dag & Red was founded in 1992 and climbed as high as League One in 2011, and plays just 2.5 miles from West Ham United’s training ground. Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle are among Dag & Red alums in the Premier League.

It’s a terrific gesture from West Ham, and is even more impressive in the United States where the growing club game is increasingly cutthroat (especially between non-synced leagues).

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AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco absolutely roasted his charges after i Lupi tossed aside a Cenzig Under-inspired lead to fall 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Di Francesco had praise for Edin Dzeko, who assisted Under’s goal, as well as goalkeeper Alisson, but was mostly enraged by his side.

4) “The difference was that in the first half we tried to hurt them while in the second we were looking to hold on – to what? I don’t know.”

— “To what? I don’t know” is hilarious. Di Francesco’s side has posted some serious wins this season, including killing off Chelsea 3-0 at home and coming back from 2-0 to draw the Blues at Stamford Bridge. He doesn’t preach sitting back.

3) “There were far too many schoolboy errors – even by players with a wealth of international experience.”

— Schoolboy errors!

2) “I saw two completely different teams out there today. There were lots of players I should have taken off after we conceded the first goal.”

— Again, one mistake by a number of players on Facundo Ferreyra is enough for Di Francesco. He’s not just happy to be here.

1) “I can’t imagine we’d get arrogant just because we’re winning an important game. It’s not as if Roma are used to reaching the final every year.”

— When you’re willing to essentially rip an entire club’s history — Roma’s been to just two UCL quarterfinals since losing the final to Liverpool in 1984 — you’re putting your footprints in new cement.

Salzburg’s two away goals in a draw feels like a one-goal lead, and the one-goal matches are especially interesting. In the case of Atalanta, 1-0 to the Serie A side could undo Michy Batshuayi‘s first leg heroics for BVB.